Ray LaHood



Ray H. LaHood was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing the downstate 18th District of Illinois from 1995-2008. (map)

Iraq War
LaHood voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Defending Earmarks
The Peoria Journal Star reported that LaHood defended an earmark in the Defense Appropriate Bill which was placed in the bill by Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert. When Jeff Flake tried to erase it, LaHood defended the earmark speaking to members of the House of Representatives. In his defense, he stated that the $2.5 million dollar earmark goes to the Illinois Technology Transition Center in West Chicago which creates some jobs in his legislative district in Peoria, Illinois. He also stated that Hastert put this clause in the bill because "It creates not only opportunities in central Illinois, but all over the state.”

Firefly Energy, an associated company of Caterpillar Inc., has already been given $26 million in earmarks this year. If the Senate does not amend the bill, Caterpillar Inc. would receive $75.2 million. 

In addition to these reported earmarks, according to Dori Meinert of Copley News Service, LaHood secured funds for other companies in his legislative area. These include the following:


 * $1 million for PeoriaNext


 * $3 million for the 182nd Airlift Wing


 * $2.5 million for Memorial Healthcare System in Springfield

The Illinois Technology Transition Center in West Chicago has helped LaHood’s largest campaign contributor, Caterpillar Inc. According to Opensecrets.org, since 1989, Caterpillar Inc. has given $148,325 to his campaign. LaHood has denied any relationship between lobbyists of Firefly Energy and the Memorial Healthcare System and his proposed funding for their companies. 

Bio
He was born December 6, 1945,in Peoria, Illinois. He earned a B.S. degree in Education and Sociology from Bradley in 1971. "A teacher by training, Ray started his career teaching junior high school students in Catholic and public schools. He then moved to Rock Island where he served as the Chief Planner for the Bi-State Metropolitan Commission, Director of the Rock Island Youth Services Bureau, and as District Administrative Assistant for Congressman Tom Railsback." He was also an aide to Representatives Thomas F. Railsback and Robert Michel, and a member of the Illinois House of Representatives before entering the House. He is of Lebanese descent, one of the few U.S. representatives of Arab ancestry.

Congressional career
He presided over the impeachment vote against President Bill Clinton.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated Steve Waterworth to face LaHood in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) LaHood retained his seat.

LaHood will not seek reelection in 2008
On July 27, 2007, Ray LaHood stated that it had been a "wonderful opportunity to serve his district," but that he would not seek reelection in 2008.

LaHood commented, "Since that first election almost 13 years ago, I have always maintained that this was not a lifetime job. The time has come to honor that commitment."

The lawmaker said "Being chosen by one’s neighbors to represent them in Congress is one of the greatest honors free people can bestow on a fellow citizen. I owe a great debt of gratitude to my supporters for this chance to serve."

Obama transportation secretary
LaHood accepted an offer from president-elect Barack Obama on December 16, 2008. to become Secretary of Transportation in his administration.

Money in politics
cid=N00004933&cycle=2006

Committee assignments in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Agriculture
 * Subcommittee on Legislative Branch

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Agriculture Rural Development Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies
 * Subcommittee on Defense
 * House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
 * Subcommittee on Oversight
 * Subcommittee on Terrorism/HUMINT Analysis and Counterintelligence

Affiliations

 * National Advisory Board, Arab American National Museum
 * Republican Main Street Partnership

Contact
DC Office: 1424 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-6201 Fax: 202-225-9249 Web Email Website

District Office - Jacksonville: 209 West State Street Jacksonville, IL 62650 Phone: 217-245-1431 Fax: 217-243-6852

District Office - Peoria: 100 Northeast Monroe Street, Room 100 Peoria, IL 61602 Phone: 309-671-7027 Fax: 309-671-7309

District Office - Springfield: 3050 Montvale Drive, Suite D Springfield, IL 62704 Phone: 217-793-0808 Fax: 217-793-9724

Campaign Office: 5612 West Grande Circle Peoria, IL 61615

External resources

 * Official website

External articles

 * Dori Meinert, LaHood defends earmarked project," Peoria Journal Star, June 26, 2006.
 * "Bob Schieffer laughs at Rep. Lahood's defense of Hastert as he lists other Republican scandals," Crooks and Liars, October 9, 2006. re Dennis Hastert
 * A.J. Rossmiller (AJ in DC), "Falsely accused Dem intel staffer reinstated," AMERICAblog, November 22, 2006.
 * "GOP congressmen quit because of five-day work week," Think Progress, October 9, 2007.

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Philosophe Forum